Local martial artist Rick Williamson has another reason to celebrate in 2017.

After being promoted to seventh-degree black belt earlier in the year, he now finds himself among a select few to be inducted into the Brandon University Athletics 2017 Wall of Fame.

"It's a real honour to be included," says Williamson. "I was really happy about the announcement because Judo is very special to me. That was my first art and getting this for my competition in judo in those two years is very special to me now."

Williamson was born and raised in Belmont, Manitoba, and took up the sport of judo when he was 13-years-old. Over 50 years later his passion for martial arts remains as strong as ever. He represented Manitoba at the national championships four times, and in 1971 attended the Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon.

"All of this was a long time ago," laughs Williamson. "I was contacted because I was part of the football team because it is a football reunion and I guess they were looking back and noticed the success I had in judo while I was going to university and that's the big part of why they're honouring me. I'm very surprised and happy about everything."

He found some success in '71 as a member of the judo team at Brandon University. BU hosted the Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship and he won the middleweight division. The following year, he successfully defended his title at the westerns in Winnipeg.

Williamson became a teacher at Arthur Meighen School where he spent 29 years in Portage la Prairie. He became the head jiu-jitsu instructor in Portage and has trained 40 of his students to the black belt level. The brunch ceremony is set for October 14th.